What type of study can synthesize literature and provide quantitative analysis?

A meta-analysis is a type of study that synthesizes existing literature and provides a quantitative analysis of data gathered from multiple studies. By using statistical methods, a meta-analysis combines results from different research studies to identify patterns, strengths, or discrepancies across a wide range of findings. This can lead to more robust conclusions than individual studies can provide on their own, allowing researchers to assess the overall effects or determine the effectiveness of a treatment or intervention.

In contrast, the other options do not fulfill the specific requirements of synthesizing literature and providing a quantitative analysis. Cross-sectional studies offer a snapshot of a population at a single point in time without necessarily examining historical data or aggregating numbers from different studies. Case studies focus on a detailed examination of a single instance or individual, lacking the broader scope needed for quantitative analysis across multiple sources. Expert opinion, while valuable, is based on subjective interpretation rather than a systematic quantitative synthesis of empirical research data.